The CUPRA Formentor production car remains true to the concept presented in Geneva Motorshow 2019 and its outstanding aesthetic and overall package helped it capture this year’s Red Dot Award for Product Design 2021.
Its dynamic proportions are heightened by the visual emphasis placed towards the rear of the vehicle which accentuates the length of the bonnet. The appearance of these proportions was a purposeful move by the design team to give the CUPRA Formentor an even greater feeling of performance and style. And the side profile of the high-performance crossover coupe alludes to the power found under the bonnet and the overall dynamism of the vehicle.
The body tone is reminiscent of a robust all-terrain vehicle, but the CUPRA Formentor uses this design technique to lighten the vehicle’s silhouette, giving it a more svelte appearance, one that reflects the performance it delivers. This attribute is continued thanks to its compact and sporty aesthetics, closer to that of a hatchback, but in a coupe crossover, and its merging of all-terrain attributes expected from a traditional SUV.
The front of the CUPRA Formentor is strong and determined, but elegant and refined with the large front grille home to the famous CUPRA copper badge and book marked by the full LED front headlights that use the signature design. Fog lamps sit separately below.
Below the headlights are two air intakes that not only emphasise the vehicle’s face but also direct air through the vehicle and help not only air flow but also performance, cooling the brakes when driving becomes more adventurous.
Over the bonnet, sculpted lines draw emphasis both down to the CUPRA badge on the grille, but also help the eye sweep backwards towards the A-pillar and beyond.
The elegant yet strong design continues at the rear with the integration of rear dynamic blinkers as well as a rear coast-to-coast light with a welcome ceremony that creates a visual width to the vehicle and gives not only a now signature look, but also helps the vehicle standout. “Formentor” name is also mentioned in the rear light. Those approaching from behind quickly understand the CUPRA Formentor is a performance vehicle, helped too by the exhaust system.
The bold design is enhanced by the vehicles’ specific bumper, rear spoiler, rear diffuser and exclusive 18 or 19” alloy wheels, that frame its brakes with copper Brembo callipers.
Thanks to its dimensions, the CUPRA Formentor is ready to meet the needs of today’s customers. At 4,450mm long and 1,839mm wide and with a height of 1,511mm it provides excellent headroom for all the passengers while the wheelbase of 2,680mm offers significant legroom for rear occupants and a boot capacity of up to 450 litres (420l for the 4Drive version and 345l for plug-in hybrid versions) – making it a practical option too.
The CUPRA Formentor’s expressive exterior design is matched by its high-quality interior. The vehicle’s cabin provides a sense of modernity and sportiness with a unique take on the feel of the CUPRA brand.
As the driver unlocks the vehicle, the CUPRA Formentor greets the driver and passenger with a welcome ceremony, projecting the CUPRA logo onto the ground. And as the occupants enter the CUPRA Formentor, the doorstep is illuminated with the CUPRA lettering. Once inside, occupants are cocooned by high-quality materials, with brushed dark aluminium and copper accents making the cabin feel modern and contemporary.
The sports bucket seats are mounted low in the cabin to maximise space and are designed to allow for a more ergonomic seating position, giving a sense of the dynamic performance before a wheel has even turned.
Available for the VZ trim, The CUPRA steering wheel houses the engine start and CUPRA mode select button, underscoring that you are taking control of a different type of vehicle. And the inclusion of an “ESP off” button in the middle console reinforces this spirit further.
Larger shift paddles make changing gear simpler and more natural, and the multifunction buttons add to the hi-tech feel. The CUPRA button gives access to the different drive modes: a short press scrolls through Comfort, Sport, CUPRA and individual, while long press takes you directly to CUPRA mode.
The high-performance crossover coupe mixes the traditional with the digital, augmenting the tactility and feedback of the steering wheel with the modernity of the customisable Digital Cockpit. Developed specifically for CUPRA models, a sporty view is also available, offering more focused display that allows the driver to see the speed and revs more clearly.
Horizontal full-LED wraparound ambient lighting which runs the width of the dashboard and in both front doors delivers a lightness to the interior, but the technology is not only an aesthetic feature. It provides safety functions too linked to the onboard driver’s assistant systems; flashing orange when Exit Assist is activated or red when the door is open for instance.
The centrepiece of the interior is the 12” infotainment touchscreen (standard for the VZ trim; 10’’ infotainment system as standard for lower output engines) which provides the functionality and connectivity to all occupants and reduces button count. The simplicity and elegance of the interior is achieved in part thanks to the inclusion of the shift-by-wire DSG transmission technology, which helps declutter the interior, creating greater space. The TSI 150PS and TDI 150PS are also available with a manual gearbox.